Explain the fact that the C-O bond length in RCOOH is shorter than in ROH

Explanation

To explain why the C-O bond length in carboxylic acids (RCOOH) is shorter than in alcohols (ROH), we can break down the reasoning into several steps:

### Step 1: Understanding the Structures
- **Carboxylic Acid (RCOOH)**: The structure consists of a carbon atom (C) bonded to a hydroxyl group (OH) and a carbonyl group (C=O). The general formula is R-C(=O)-OH.
- **Alcohol (ROH)**: The structure consists of a carbon atom (C) bonded to a hydroxyl group (OH). The general formula is R-OH.

### Step 2: Bond Types
- In carboxylic acids, the carbon atom is involved in a **double bond** with one oxygen atom (C=O) and a **single bond** with the other oxygen atom (C-O).
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